Kansas University announced its 10 Docking Young Faculty Scholar Award winners today.

The award, established in 1999 by Meredith Docking, aims to foster and cultivate younger faculty members who distinguish themselves through research and teaching in their early careers.

Jeff Vitter, provost and executive vice chancellor, said in a news release, “These awards enable us to recognize and retain outstanding individuals, even in a challenging economic environment.”

The 2013 recipients are:

• Shawn Alexander, associate professor of African and African American studies
• Christopher Depcik, associate professor of mechanical engineering
• Dale Dorsey, associate professor of philosophy
• William Elliott, associate professor of social welfare
• Tamara Falicov, chair and associate professor of film and media studies
• Trent Herda, assistant professor of health, sport and exercise science
• Virginia Harper Ho, associate professor of law
• Wonpil Im, associate professor of molecular biology
• Ebenezer Obadare, associate professor of sociology
• Hyunjin Seo, assistant professor of journalism and mass communications

Winners receive an annual stipend for a period of either three or five years and can be renewed for a second term.